Mueez Ajao
– Beth Mead helped England get off to a winning start at Euro 2022 as they beat Austria in front of a record crowd for a European Women’s Championship game at Old Trafford.
– The Arsenal winger chested down Fran Kirby’s lifted pass and deftly touched it over club team-mate Manuela Zinsberger after just 16 minutes.
– There was a roar from the majority of the 68,871 in attendance as Mead turned to them passionately with her arms in the air – though, they were made to wait anxiously as there was a VAR check to ensure the ball had fully crossed the line.
Also Read: Euro 2022: The biggest Womenโs European Championship in history
– The early goal settled England’s nerves and they quickly began to dominate in Manchester.
– Mead, Georgia Stanway and Kirby offered plenty of creativity and movement in the first half and one criticism may have been England’s lack of ruthlessness.
๐ฐ MATCH REPORT: Beth Mead's goal for hosts England gave a competition-record crowd a joyous night at Old Trafford.
Read all about it ๐#WEURO2022
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 6, 2022
– But it was a job well done in the tournament opener and though Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps was called into action to deny Barbara Dunst in the second half, Austria were reduced to few clear-cut chances.
Moment of the Day couldn't have been anything else…
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ @bmeado9โฝ๏ธ#WEUROmoments | #WEURO2022 | @lays_football pic.twitter.com/SXM4IVSAR3
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 6, 2022
– The Lionesses, who are in Group A with Austria, Northern Ireland and Norway, are aiming to win their first major tournament – and have started that bid by extending their unbeaten run to 15 matches.
Impressive start to the tournament ๐คฉ
England's Georgia Stanway is the @VisaUK Player of the Match ๐#WEUROPOTM | #WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/Gb7QQyQKjP
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 6, 2022
– Sarina Wiegman’s side face arguably their toughest test of the group stages on Monday when they take on Norway, ranked 11th in the world.
"It's beyond words. What an amazing night. It's great to start the tournament with a win and I'm really happy to get a goal for my team."
๐ฃ๏ธ Goalscorer @bmeado9 talking after England's opening night victory#WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/0U7IL8PnvO
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 7, 2022
Tonight's attendance is the ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ in Women's EURO history ๐คฉ
Off to a record-breaking start ๐#WEURO2022 pic.twitter.com/gf91uk2Aba
— UEFA Women's EURO 2022 (@WEURO2022) July 6, 2022